《高中英语 50篇经典英文演讲素材 48 Ronald Reagan：The Evil Empire》由会员分享，可在线阅读，更多相关《高中英语 50篇经典英文演讲素材 48 Ronald Reagan：The Evil Empire（8页珍藏版）》请在金锄头文库上搜索。
1、Ronald Reagan: The Evil EmpireModerator: Ladies and Gentlemen: The President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.President Reagan: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.And, Reverend Clergy all, Senator Hawkins, distinguished members of the Flo
2、rida congressional delegation, and all of you: I cant tell you how you have warmed my heart with your welcome. Im delighted to be here today.Those of you in the National Association of Evangelicals are known for your spiritual and humanitarian work. And I would be especially remiss if I didnt discha
3、rge right now one personal debt of gratitude. Thank you for your prayers. Nancy and I have felt their presence many times in many ways. And believe me, for us theyve made all the difference.The other day in the East Room of the White House at a meeting there, someone asked me whether I was aware of
4、all the people out there who were praying for the President. And I had to say, Yes, I am. Ive felt it. I believe in intercessionary prayer. But I couldnt help but say to that questioner after hed asked the question that - or at least say to them that if sometimes when he was praying he got a busy si
5、gnal, it was just me in there ahead of him. I think I understand how Abraham Lincoln felt when he said, I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. From the joy and the good feeling of this conference, I go to a political reception. Now, I
6、dont know why, but that bit of scheduling reminds me of a story which Ill share with you.An evangelical minister and a politician arrived at Heavens gate one day together. And St. Peter, after doing all the necessary formalities, took them in hand to show them where their quarters would be. And he t
7、ook them to a small, single room with a bed, a chair, and a table and said this was for the clergyman. And the politician was a little worried about what might be in store for him. And he couldnt believe it then when St. Peter stopped in front of a beautiful mansion with lovely grounds, many servant
8、s, and told him that these would be his quarters.And he couldnt help but ask, he said, But wait, how - theres something wrong - how do I get this mansion while that good and holy man only gets a single room? And St. Peter said, You have to understand how things are up here. Weve got thousands and th
9、ousands of clergy. Youre the first politician who ever made it.But I dont want to contribute to a stereotype. So I tell you there are a great many God-fearing, dedicated, noble men and women in public life, present company included. And yes, we need your help to keep us ever-mindful of the ideas and
10、 the principles that brought us into the public arena in the first place. The basis of those ideals and principles is a commitment to freedom and personal liberty that, itself is grounded in the much deeper realization that freedom prospers only where the blessings of God are avidly sought and humbl
11、y accepted.The American experiment in democracy rests on this insight. Its discovery was the great triumph of our Founding Fathers, voiced by William Penn when he said: If we will not be governed by God, we must be governed by tyrants. Explaining the inalienable rights of men, Jefferson said, The Go
12、d who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time. And it was George Washington who said that of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.And finally, that shrewdest of all observers of American democracy, Alexis de Tocqu
13、eville, put it eloquently after he had gone on a search for the secret of Americas greatness and genius - and he said: Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the greatness and the genius of America. America is good. And if Ameri
14、ca ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.Well, Im pleased to be here today with you who are keeping America great by keeping her good. Only through your work and prayers and those of millions of others can we hope to survive this perilous century and keep alive this experiment in li
15、berty, this last, best hope of man.I want you to know that this administration is motivated by a political philosophy that sees the greatness of America in you, her people, and in your families, churches, neighborhoods, communities: the institutions that foster and nourish values like concern for ot
16、hers and respect for the rule of law under God.Now, I dont have to tell you that this puts us in opposition to, or at least out of step with, a - a prevailing attitude of many who have turned to a modern-day secularism, discarding the tried and time-tested values upon which our very civilization is based. No matter how well intentioned, their value system is radically different from that of most Americans. And while they proclaim
